West Ham United defender Ben Johnson has stated it’s ‘mental’ the amount of ‘flak’ Liverpool’ right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Arsenal midfielder, Granit Xhaka get, as he told the Happy Hour Podcast.
The West Ham 22-year-old shared that he has, at times, watched fan channels that criticise their own players and was shocked by how someone like Alexander-Arnold gets treated.
Johnson also pointed at how Xhaka has been treated in Arsenal colours from supporters, and whilst things are on the up for the 30-year-old now, he thinks the Switzerland star is a red card away from normal service being resumed.
For Alexander-Arnold, the criticism that comes his way is regarding his defending in Liverpool colours, as many feel that’s a reason why he isn’t a starter for England.
As for Xhaka, he did have an infamous moment against Crystal Palace when he was Arsenal’s captain under Unai Emery, but that now seems to be water under the bridge.
But, from a player that is still making a name for himself on the Premier League stage, this is what Johnson had to say about his fellow professionals.
“It’s so harsh (fan channels criticising their players),” said Johnson. “You can name so many players off the top of your head that get hammered, even Trent (Alexander-Arnold) now.
“The flak he gets. All of sudden, in the last month. It’s mental.
“For example, Xhaka, how good is he playing, at the minute for Arsenal and two years ago, he was getting hammered and he was out of the door.
“Exactly (the next time he gets a red card he will get criticised). It’s so volatile. It doesn’t need to be.”
TAA AND XHAKA LOVED BY THEIR FANS
For Alexander-Arnold, he has always got the love from his own supporters at club level, as many on Merseyside feel that no-one is better going forward than the fullback himself.
The same can’t be said for Xhaka, who has been a marmite-like figure, but for the past 18 months, that’s all changing.
Xhaka could argue that he is one of Arsenal’s best players now and a key reason why the Gunners are sitting at the top of the Premier League table.
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